This year, Easter celebrations looked different for Prince William and Princess Kate. Choosing to forgo the Royal Family’s annual church service, the couple spent the holiday at their country residence, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, alongside their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales were absent, other family members, including Princess Eugenie and Sarah Ferguson, joined King Charles and Queen Camilla for the Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
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This isn’t the first time the Wales family has opted for a quieter Easter. Last year, they also skipped the traditional service as the Princess was undergoing chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis. During that period, she stepped back from her public duties to focus on her health. In January, she shared the news that she is now in remission.
Given Kate’s ongoing desire for privacy and continued recovery, it’s likely why the family chose once again to spend the holiday away from the public eye.
As Prince William maintains a low profile, royal watchers have begun speculating about what the future may hold. Some insiders suggest that major changes have long been in motion behind the scenes.
“The people I’ve spoken to have said that the succession planning, as they call it, began even before Charles’ diagnosis,” royal author Tom Quinn told Harper’s Bazaar. “I mean, he’s the oldest Prince of Wales to become king in history, so succession planning had begun before Charles came to the throne simply because of the age issue.”
Quinn noted, “Charles knows that he isn’t going to be king for that long.”
While the future remains uncertain, for now, Prince William seems to be prioritizing time with his family.